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Meet the C-SPL January 2024 Reader of the Month, Michaela Koch!
As a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, I enjoy reading many genres of books, including picture books! Now that I am an education faculty member at Clarke University, I enjoy finding motivational and informative texts for future teachers. I love learning new things, reading, and spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs, Artemis and Apollo.
I like to read a variety of different genres, but some of my favorites include futuristic/dystopian-if only one aspect about our world changed, how would it be different?; motivational literature; cook books, and of course, all things related to education (yes, especially picture books!).
C-SPL January 2024 Reader of the Month Q & A:
Q. What book(s) are you currently reading?
A. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus.
Q. What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?
A. This is such a hard question! I would say one of my all time favorite books is “The Giver” by Lois Lowry.
Q. What is your ideal reading environment (location, sound, snacks, etc.)?
A. A rainy day with a blanket, warm coffee, and of course a dog on my lap!
Q. What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?
A. I am really enjoying “Lessons in Chemistry,” but I also like to jump around between genres. Next, I plan to read “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” to round out that series. I love when I can get engaged in a series of books!
Q. What format do you prefer and why (physical book, ebook, audiobook)?
A. I typically prefer paperback books, but I have started to enjoy using ebooks more and more seeing as I can always have it in my back pocket. Waiting at the dentist office?- Break out the eBook! Waiting in line to check out at the grocery story?-Break out the ebook! The lighting is always perfect with an ebook!
Q. Have you read any books recently that have changed the way you think about something?
A. I am always challenged to grow my teaching philosophy when reading professional books. Some books that have significantly challenged my thinking and encouraged me to pause are “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” and Alfie Kohn’s “Punished By Rewards.”
Q. When do you decide to stop reading a book? In other words, do you read every book to the last page, or is there a moment when you decide to stop?
A. There have only been a few books I have put down, and it is typically if I cannot get engaged in the story quick enough. I always try to give a fiction book at least the first three chapters before I decide if it’s not for me at the moment.
Q. Do you remember when your love for reading began?
A. I had an amazing kindergarten teacher who would do all the voices when reading aloud stories; I think my love for reading began there and was enriched throughout my childhood with incredible teachers and adult role models. A book can take you so many places!
Q. What other library resources do you enjoy (DVDs, CDs, board games, baking pans, digital content, etc.)?
A. I love the variety of resources our library has to offer! The board games and baking pans are on my list next to check out. The Book Match feature and having a librarian create a personalized list of books just for you can help if you aren’t sure what to read next!
Check out Michaela’s Favorite Books
Be the next C-SPL Reader of the Month!
More Reader of the Month posts.